BSc in Planning in Cambridge United States | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning provides an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that equips students for professional careers across public and private sectors. This major also serves as a strong foundation for those pursuing advanced studies in fields like law, public policy, international development, urban design, management, and planning. Through coursework, students gain expertise in applying economic principles, policy analysis, political science, and urban design methodologies to address societal and environmental challenges both domestically and internationally. Students also develop essential planning competencies focused on driving meaningful, equitable societal transformation.

Following completion of core requirements, students can tailor their education by selecting elective concentrations. While we recommend focused tracks in urban/environmental policy, urban sociology/history/politics, or regional public policy, we also accommodate customized study paths aligned with individual interests. The mandatory lab component focuses on urban information systems, teaching techniques for measuring, visualizing, and analyzing urban data. This laboratory course additionally examines how innovative technologies can enhance governmental policy formulation and implementation.